RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, January 9, 2008) – After five days of training with the US Women’s National Team, former Richmond Kickers Destiny defender and University of Virginia standout Becky Sauerbrunn has been named to a roster of 20 players who will travel to Foshan, China on Tuesday in preparation for the 2008 Four Nations Tournament.  This call-up marks the first to the full National Team for Sauerbrunn, who has represented the US at the U-21, U-19 and U-16 levels, co-captaining the 2004 US U-19 squad in Thailand.

“I am extremely appreciative of this chance,” comments Sauerbrunn.  “In soccer, sometimes the hardest thing is waiting for your chance to play at this level.  I am extremely honored to represent my country.”

New US head coach Pia Sundhage selected the roster of 20 to travel to China from a training camp of 27 players.  Canada, Finland and host China round out the field for the annual competition to be played less than seven months before Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympics.  The USA won the Four Nations Tournament in 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, failing to take top honors only in 2002.

Sauerbrunn made 24 appearances over two seasons with the Richmond Kickers Destiny, logging 2,137 minutes.  A defensive stalwart, she also posed an offensive threat, notching three goals and one assist en route to Richmond’s back-to-back playoff berths.  The 2007 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and three-time NSCAA All-American, Sauerbrunn anchored a University of Virginia defense that led the nation in goals against average (0.40) and set a school record with 15 shutouts.  Recently, she was named the 2007 NSCAA/adidas Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year, maintaining a 3.43 GPA with a major in English Language and Literature. 

“Becky is very deserving of her National Team call-up,” comments Jesse Myers, Richmond Kickers Destiny Head Coach.  “Her ability, dedication to the game and hard work, on and off the field, are unparalleled.  There is no question in my mind that Becky has what it takes to be successful at the next level.  We wish her the best of luck.”